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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Sincerity Secret # 55: Sincere Smile or is it Insincere?

Here is a great example of a sincere smile. Notice how Isabelle Giordano's upper and lower eye lids are partially closed. This is the most essential component of true, felt happiness/joy. So often we concentrate on just the mouth, both when we make a smile and when we measure the sincerity of others. Crow's feet may appear or be accentuated (if pre-existing / age-related) as well, but the partial eye closure is the key to a true smile.

Notice also how Isabelle's mouth only shows her upper teeth. The "squared-off" false smile which people will make, pulls their mouths more outward as well as pulling the lower lip down. You should see no more than a fraction of the lower teeth - any more and it's not a true, felt smile.

Also very important is the relaxed appearance of Ms. Giordano's forehead. Smiles where you see wrinkling of the forehead muscles are examples of another very common sign of a false smile. Interestingly, this also tends to be used more in insincere personality types. Negotiators beware!

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This website serves as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

This website serves as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.